The Portland Trail Blazers played inspired basketball on Tuesday night, but ultimately came up short against the Miami Heat at Moda Center, losing 106-96 to the defending Eastern Conference Champions. The Blazers kept Heat big man Bam Adebayo in check, holding him to only 13 points. But the guard combination of Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, and Duncan Robinson proved to be too much for Portland and their depleted roster. That roster only got thinner after Deandre Ayton exited the game at intermission due to injury.
The Blazers can use these as measuring stick games. The Heat are playoff bound and have their sights set on returning to the NBA Finals.